The Dollhouse Murders

Throughout the book, many theories are suggested for the reason the dollhouse comes alive. One example is Aunt Clare’s belief that Grandma Treloar’s spirit is communicating from beyond the grave. Do you agree or disagree with any of the proposed theories? If you disagree, why do you think the dollhouse comes alive?

Amy and Aunt Clare make many mistakes and jump to many conclusions throughout the story. What lesson did you learn from their mistakes? Site two examples from each character that helped you understand that lesson.

Louann has an uncluttered way of viewing the world. She thinks literally and understands things in a black-and-white way. How did you feel about her as you read the book? Did your opinion of Louann change by the end? Try thinking of a complicated concept how Louann might. Did you learn anything from trying to think this way?

At the birthday party, Amy is jealous of the easy way Kathy interacts with Louann. What do you think of Amy’s observation that Kathy can be friendly with Louann because Kathy is only around Louann for one night? Think of a problem that seems insurmountable to you. How would you act if that problem were someone else’s? What did you learn from thinking about the problem in this way?

Wright uses irony when Amy finds Grandma Treloar’s letter naming the murderer in a copy of the play A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen. Why did the author choose to this book to contain the letter? What significance does this have to the dollhouse coming alive? Speculate on the cause and effect of the dollhouse playing out the murder as it relates to Grandma Treloar’s letter being hidden in A Doll’s House.

In Chapter 12, Amy realizes she’s a teenager and needs to take responsibility by protecting Aunt Clare from guilt and pain. At the end of the chapter, Amy thinks about how she doesn’t want to be responsible for Louann anymore. Discuss growing up as it relates to responsibility. Does growing up mean taking responsibility for others? Why or why not?

In Chapter 19, Aunt Clare feels like a new person now that the guilt for Grandma and Grandpa Treloar’s murders no longer weighs her down. Discuss guilt as an emotion that holds people back. Think of something you feel guilty about and how you might view it differently without guilt. What did you learn from this exercise? How does what you learned relate to Aunt Clare’s revelation? How does it relate to Amy and Aunt Clare’s journeys with their guilt?

Compare and contrast Amy’s mother and Mrs. Peck in terms of how they view Louann. How does each character approach Louann’s disability? Which character’s view do you agree with? Why?